Amerikai Magyar Szó, 1990. január-június (44. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1990-04-19 / 16. szám
Thursday, April 19. 1990. AMERIKAI MAGYAR SZO 11. AmERIIAh HlinCARIAnS Hungarian Society and its Trade Unions The Retail, Warehouse, Department Store Workers' Union has relations with many free trade unions through the International Union of Food & Allied Workers' Association, Delegates attend conferences and conventions with some regularity and there is at least some opportunity to confront trade union issues with varying international perspectives. It was this interest and curiosity that I first reacted to an invitation by Vice-President Paul Dömény to join a small delegation to Hungary. We were to be the guests of the trade union officials there, particularly István Szalai, Senior Officer, International Department of the Central Council of Hungarian Trade Unions (SZOT). As a combination of part holiday and part education trip, it gave us the opportunity to see the real Hungary and at the same time to discuss those economic and political issues of concern to most trade unionists. Our hosts met us at the Budapest airport and cleared us through Customs in a manner which would rival anything I've ever seen for speed and lack of hassle. Twin Volkswagen vans complete with drivers and interpreters made our trip to the hotel and entire week a pleasure. We stayed at the SZOT Hotel, one of three trade union controlled hotels in the twin cities of Buda and Pest. The service was remarkably cordial and the food everywhere we ate was plentiful and delicious. A trip to the central market was an experience of itself to see mountains of vegetables, large quantities of fresh fish and well-cut meat. This is certainly a nation which is able to feed itself. Our hosts spoke of the proliferation of family farms which grow their own produce and supply these markets. In Hungary, it would appear that the country folk with their extra ability to raise personal revenues are better off than the city dweller. Apart from the tourist impressions, a number of observations might interest those who are watching Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union with their recent policies of "perestroika" and "glasnost". Our hosts were quick to point out that Hungary has been in the forefront of such liberalization and review of enonomic policy within the communist states. It has been a model and enjoys a measure of success. There were no lineups for food or clothing and probably less than our North American supermarket. Consumer goods appeared readily available although it was obvious they are less accessible by income. Several mornings we met with delegations of trade union leaders, particularly what we might consider a district council in Eger, the Catering Workers' and the Commercial Union. The frankness with which such delegations appraised their own situations was encouraging to us. It was clear that the economic realities of their society, as in ours, was the primary focus of their intentions and they were keenly aware of the role of their trade unions in protecting workers despite the political framework of the society. Their upcoming Trade Union Congress calls for a "new order" and stresses the need for economic reform. At the time we were there, the parliament was debating the enactment of the "right to strike" in their constitution. (The Law on Strike has since been enacted. The Editor.) The paramountcy of law over politics has become a key ingredient of the reform in the communist bloc. Hungary is toying with principles and ideas far ahead of those which provoke such confrontation in nations such as Poland. They readily admit that the future is less than certain, but at least the ideas are being freely discussed. The Hungarian trade unions take their education seriously as well. We visited one education centre, a four star hotel situated on a summer resort lake. Tourists pay regular rates to use the hotel through the summer which pays for the forty thousand trade unionists educated through the location in the off season each year. The centre even operates on a profit and rivals the best facilities we have in North America, library and all. The tourists in us was delighted by the wagon ride through the state farm, complete with Hungarian cowboys and their horse show. An impromptu visit to the vineyards one morning provided a taste of home-made wines. We further learned that domestic wine production has been so successful that there is nowhere to put next year's crop as cellars are full. This has produced extended pressure on the government to see these reserves exported. As their wines were exceptional and at cheap prices, it reminded me of a similar concern by Canadian growers. Free trade will have its price. It would be hard to imagine trading economies or political systems for what we saw. But it is not difficult to imagine the potential which exists in nations like Hungary. The people were exceptionally hospitable. It is a nation with political boundaries imposed in the wake of World War II. yet has a rich historical culture. It still cries out for the minority rights of the one million Hungarians severed in Transylvania and given to Romania. It was encouraging to see that even amongst communist nations, that older and more established cultural sentiments TheRet-iree With so much news in the papers about savings and loan institutions failing or about to fail, you might find it easier to sleep if you know how safe your money is. The U.S.Government guarantees both the safety of your money and your right to have your deposits made available promptly. To find out how, send for two booklets: Making deposits (item 439 V, 50 cents) a pamphlet published by the Federal Reserve System, and Your Insured Deposit (item 584 V, free), a question and answer booklet about how money you deposit is protected against bank failure. Send your name and address along with the appropriate item numbers and fee, to R. Woods, Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado, 81009. You'll also get a free copy of the Consumer Information Catalog, published quarterly by the U.S. General Services Administration, which offers about 200 free and low-priced consumer publications on a wide variety of subjects. Ta th* Editor Thank you for the lovely way you have interested me in the lovely art of woodcuts. I never thought it was so fascinating. It opened up a new life for me. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and beautiful surprise. Best wishes and good health to all °f y°u- Margaret Prager Mrs. Prager received a book by Joseph Dómján, famous artist whose book SUNGATES can be ordered from the Hungarian Word, 130 E 16 St. New York, N.Y. 10003 for Ten Dollars. continue to question the artificial face of Europe. There is a desire for democratization of their society but they fear quite rightfully, the harsher affects of capitalism on workers. It is the same fear which drives North American trade unionists to fight for stronger labor laws and contracts. Not once did I hear the word "communist" used to refer to themselves. They are "socialists". If Hungary is a picture of the evolution of Eastern Europe, trade unionists should continue to play a role encouraging the workers of these nations to ensure a free democratic trade union movement. What is abundantly clear is that regardless of the progress of political institutions, trade union progress has a life of its own. My parting comments are by way of example. One of our party lost their wallet. Two days and a hundred miles later, it was traced and returned to our hotel, totally intact. The sight of Paul singing with Lajos Boross, King ot the Gypsies, against the backdrop of the Blue Danube imparts a different memory. Hungarians have a right to their pride. Thomas Collins Hungarian Trade Union News
